Produce, Record, Edit&Mixing

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recorded vocals and flute for 3 songs for Twin Flames (Canada) on their new album Omen. We finished recording vocals for Maou Mindu (Canada) Stay Inside EP. We are also done with drum recordings for Maou Mindu’s next album coming out soon. I just finished working on an album for Peronicus (Canada) I recorded flute, violin, and choir for 2 tracks for Lycanthro (Canada) Currently recording: bass for the new Excoriation (Russia) album. recording my solo EP

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Myself

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Guitar, cables, DI, laptop, interface!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I started a home studio in my condo while also working out of Raven Street Studios in Ottawa, ON, Canada. I now own my own studio on Val-des-monts, Quebec (20mins to downtown Ottawa). All rooms including the control room is sound treated. The studio has a dead room (vocal booth), a diamond drum room, kitchen area, and the control room along with a producers desk. The gear includes and iMac 27", Universal Audio Apollo 8XP thunderbolt interface, Neumann KH310A speakers, drum mics, smb7, etc.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: The most common type of work I do is recording. I record a lot of vocals or instruments due to the studio and good sounding rooms. I also edit and mix pre recorded music/songs that are sent to me.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog all the way. There's just something that connects me more to the sound when I get to touch the gear.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will not give you an unfinished or unpolished product and I will make sure that it is up to your standards every time while providing a comfortable and fun recording space.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music. I live and breathe music. The different genres, musicians, the process, everything ab out recording and editing makes me closer to understand every note and its a beautiful thing. I get to listen to music and make it sound better. ITS A GREAT JOB!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Is it hard being a woman in the industry? No. I personally haven't had anyone not hire me or not like my work because I'm a woman. I have a portfolio, if you like it hire me, if you don't, that's ok. At the end if the product you out out should speak for itself and that has nothing to do with gender. There are many women audio engineers that are doing well and running their own businesses and labels. How do I get started? Just DO. Go talk to all bands you know, promoters, live music venues, and go shadow in studios and concerts. You're only going to learn by putting yourself out there. This is a tough business if you can't speak up and make opportunities for yourself. It's a lot of work, it takes time but you will get there.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I believe the misconception is that we are pricey. Engineers use a lot of resources to make songs sound the way they do and our gear and plug ins are expensive. We don't just charge for our time, we charge for creativity, on the spot challenges. This isn't a 9-5 job.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want this song to feel like? What is the end goal? Are you interested/open to suggestions?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: I like to have a plan and a personal relationship with my clients so that we can all understand what we want out of each other. Communication is best, I will do my best to give you everything you need and make the recording sessions go smoothly. All I ask is to please respect my time and studio.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have always been a part of the music scene by promoting shows, putting on shows on the side for friends. I always wanted to work in the music business, behind the scenes but never had the opportunity. I was a hair stylist for 4 years then I went to work at a financial firm as an executive assistant but then decided to give myself the opportunity I was looking for. I decided to quit everything, go to The Audio Recording Academy in Ottawa and opened my own business. Ive been recording for 1 year now professionally and I look forward to do it for many more years to come. I'm just getting started but I'm ambitious..and an Aries!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Professional, fun, with that UMPH feeling. I like to keep to schedule and have a plan while we have fun and bring that punch to every song.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I'd love to work with Opeth. They're amazing musicians and their albums are different each time. They add a lot of different styles of music and playing so it keeps it interesting. id love to see the writing and recording process alongside their producer.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't rush. Make sure to rest you ears and your body. Double triple check your work and give yourself a break between songs and editing. Give yourself enough time and deadlines. Also click save!!!

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I work a lot of metal and folk music. Its very different because in one hand you have a band dynamic with fast beats and jumping off your seat while in the other you have a musician and their guitar and the majestic feeling of the song that keeps you grounded. I also have worked on a couple hip hop songs this year. I enjoy all genres and would love to work with different types of music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is communication and creativity. I will give my constructive opinion and maybe add or take out a part of the song to give it a different feeling. Ive been told I have a great ear so I like to put it to use.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to say that I bring the feeling of your favourite band singing at you when you listen to a song. My goal is for the person hearing the song, to feel like they're being serenaded or that they're in that moment; one with the song. Its hard to capture a feeling but when you do, it is outstanding.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to have a preproduction meeting after booking and get comfortable with the client and also know them on a personal level to see what the expectations are and what they're trying to create. I make sure the ambiance and the atmosphere or the session is going to give us the outcome we are all looking for. Once comfortable, the jam session starts and I'll get my artists to play through and ill record a practice run then keep going with breaks in between to not get ear fatigue. It's important to have a good time but also protect your brain and your ears, therefore the outcome/album.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Opeth and their producer Fredrik Nordström are my biggest influences in music. They include classical music, metal, and folk in their production and its well executed. All albums give you a different feeling, that is what we are after.